^Lot 551 Edgar Degas

ALS in French, signed “Degas,” one page, 4.25 x 7, no date. Degas writes to the Italian painter Guiseppe de Nittis, translated in full: “I would of course lie if I shouted ‘Long live the Legion’ but I would also lie if I did not congratulate and old and dear friend like you with all my heart.” In fine condition, with some light rubbing, and a pencil notation to the bottom right corner. Congratulations to his close friend (that he addresses in the familiar form “tu”) for having been awarded the legion of honour, the highest French decoration, that Degas despised and refused for himself.